cuba
¡Vamos A Cuba!
December 30-January 6 - SOLD OUT
January 7-14 - SOLD OUT
Cuba, with its mix of Spanish and African roots, is the perfect destination for you if you’re looking to experience rich culture, eye-popping colorful architecture, and excitement on every street corner. Picture yourself riding in classic cars, salsa dancing, smoking fresh cigars dipped in honey, drinking minty mojitos and exploring baroque architecture and cobbled streets in Old Havana! Together with my partners in crime, Cassie & Ronnie, we’ll be taking you on the adventure of a lifetime while giving back along the way.
For years, Cuba was off-limits to travelers from the United States. In 2019, Cuba opened up its doors to tourism under certain travel laws, and we’re going! As a group, will be traveling under the “Support for the Cuban People” license, allowing our tour to be 100% legal and compliant with US and Cuban laws. We will stay in casas particulares, eat at local paladares, and visit and support community projects that benefit local artists, musicians, educators, farmers and entrepreneurs. We’ll even have local “chofers,” who will be not only driving us in our classic cars throughout the trip, but also joining in on our experiences.
Our trip is designed to immerse you in the culture and provide you with a deep understanding about Cuban life and history. A portion of the trip proceeds will be used to purchase supplies for the Cuban people in a remote village that you will be able to personally give to them.
Few Americans have been able to go to Cuba, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The way you’ll interact with the Cuban people and immerse yourself in their culture will stay with you—and them—forever.
Itinerary
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Arrive in Havana
Check into casa
Mojitos on the terrace
Welcome dinnerUpon arrival in Havana, old classic cars will collect us from the airport and take us for a drive through the city. You can breathe in your first impressions of beautiful Havana. Check into your casa in Havana Vieja, where we will have time to settle, freshen up, and enjoy a mojito on the terrace. A welcome dinner will be at a popular Cuban-fusion restaurant nearby.
Dinner included.
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Breakfast on the terrace
Classic car tour
Walking tour of Old Havana with a Cuban journalist
Free time
Cocktail class
Bicitaxi ride to dinner at local club
After a full breakfast on the terrace with views over the city, you'll head out in a classic car for a tour of the city. Then you’ll meet up with a local journalist, who will guide you through the history as well as the realities of present day life in Cuba.Enjoy a free afternoon until we reconvene later in the evening for our cocktail class, where we’ll make three Cuban cocktails with a celebrity TV chef and her daughter on the rooftop of their beautiful restored casa in Old Havana.
After our class, we’ll ride in style in our bicitaxis to a local hotspot for dinner and drinks (and see where the night takes us!).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 3 cocktails included.
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Depart for local village
Give Back session
Pig roast with locals
Depart for Viñales
Dinner in your casaAfter breakfast, it's time to pack up and check out of hectic Havana and head west to more tranquil regions. The classic cars will collect us late morning so you can rest after last night's festivities!
We'll drive a couple of hours west to a remote village, entirely untouched by tourism, to give you a raw and gritty insight into Cuba behind the tourist curtain. Expect humble wooden houses, horse & carts as the main form of transport, and a lot of necessity.
We'll head to a local home, where we'll be warmly welcomed by the reality of how most Cubans live. Fresh Cuban coffee will be brewing on the fire outside, having just been picked from their coffee tree. Before the rum starts flowing again, we’ll have our Give Back session with the local community, so you can personally give your donations to those who need them most.
We’ll stick around for a while to continue the festivities in true Cuban authentic style - as a family. A pig roast will be in full swing with all the trimmings, and we’ll have a traditional celebration with the village. Don't underestimate the efforts the family went to find the food and rear the pig for our gathering - but it's their pleasure, and you'll see the proudness in their eyes to be able to host you! This is a very unique day and one that tourists don’t usually get to experience - we hope you’ll cherish it forever.
When we're done here (and there's no rush), we'll continue on the journey to Viñales, taking in the breathtaking views along the way. Check-in to the accommodations (neighbouring rooms in private homes - casa particulares).
Time for a shower and a freshen up while your hosts are busy in the kitchen preparing a delicious home cooked meal to share amongst your new friends and family, and reflect on your time in the Cuban countryside.
Rest up—tomorrow’s a good one!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
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Breakfast at your casa
Horseback ride to farm
Tobacco and cigar tour
Free time on the farm or in the townWake up to a traditional breakfast, Viñales style, with lashings of strong coffee and fresh fruit juices. Fuel up, because it's a busy day ahead!
A Cuban Cowboy will knock at the door to collect you, and you’ll walk just 2 minutes down from your accommodation to the entrance to the national park, where your horses will be waiting.
We’ll ride the horses through the park, with stunning views on the way to the family farm. Here we'll have a unique and in-depth tour with the local tobacco farmers, who will talk to the group about the process of growing tobacco and eventually making cigars. Taste the hand-made cigars dipped in honey with a swig of guayabita del Pinar (locally made rum), and a shot of home-grown coffee.
When the tour is finished, we'll settle down to a plentiful farm-to-table lunch in the farm—rice, beans, and all the trimmings.
Then we’ll have free time on the farm so you can explore the area however you wish. You can visit a hidden cave and swim in a darkened lagoon, drink mojitos with the cowboys, learn to dance salsa, or play dominoes—the choice is yours!
For those who want to head back to town, you’ll have a free evening to spend as you wish, and for those who are enjoying your time on the farm, we can stick around and see where the night takes us.
Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own (available to purchase at the farm if you stay for the evening festivities).
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Breakfast at your casa
Beach day or free time
Dinner at Finca Agroecológica el ParaisoToday’s a day for you to do as you wish in Viñales, with the option of a day trip to the beach to enjoy the white sands and turquoise waters of the Caribbean!
If you choose to join us for a beach day, after breakfast we'll be picked up by classic cars and head to the beautiful Cayo Jutías. Prepare yourselves - it's a very slow and very bumpy ride, but a fun one nonetheless!
The journey will take you totally outside of tourism and you'll get a glimpse of real Cuban life and small rural villages. Time to relax and soak in the rays. We’ll have lunch at a restaurant or, if we’re lucky, we’ll eat some locally sourced lobster. Options for water activities are available at your own expense.
We'll head back to Viñales to relax and freshen up before heading to a stunning location called Finca Agroecológica El Paraiso to catch the sunset, enjoy an anti-stress cocktail (or two), and eat some delicious farm-to-table traditional Cuban food.
Then enjoy a free evening. Salsa or sleep? You decide!
Breakfast and dinner included.
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Sunrise hike (optional)
Breakfast at your casa
Lunch on Ronnie’s family farm
Return to Havana
DinnerIt's an early morning but it's worth it. We're up with the birds for a sunrise hike to Los Acuaticos - an ancient settlement where the locals believe in the healing power of the water. We'll be visiting mainly for the outstanding views over the three valleys of Viñales as the sun comes over the 'mogotes' (unique limestone mountains).
(We’ll provide a breakfast-to-go during the hike.)
When we're back down to earth side, we'll be collected in style - horse and cart! You'll ride through the town, seeing new parts and greeting the locals along the way, and stop for glass of guarapo before heading out towards Ronnie’s family farm, where we will help prepare a meal, play with the farm animals, and take in the Cuban countryside.
This is a unique and beautiful experience, catching a glimpse into an authentic Cuban home in the countryside away from tourism.
We'll head back to the accommodations, hug our host families goodbye, and get ready to head back to Havana.
After a checking back into our casa, we'll walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided.
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Breakfast at your casa
Optional salsa class
Free time
Cocotax ride
Farewell dinner
Drinks at fábrica de arteAfter breakfast on the terrace, you’ll have time to enjoy your morning and the option to take a salsa lesson nearby.
Then enjoy a free afternoon in Havana to shop, explore the streets, or relax. If there’s anything our trip didn’t cover that you still want to see, this is your time!
We’ll reconvene for our farewell dinner, so look your best! We’ll be dining in style and going out with a bang to ensure your last dinner in Cuba is one not to forget.
After dinner, we’ll go to the nearby Fábrica de Arte, famous for being one of Havana’s premiere nightclubs and art galas. It’s a must-see on your Cuba to do list.
Breakfast and dinner included
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Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to Cuba. You can stay in the accommodation until 11:30 and leave luggage for longer if necessary. Our classic cars will take you to the airport for when you need to be there.
Hasta la próxima!
Breakfast included
What’s Included:
✓ Airport transfers in classic cars
✓ All excursions and activities as per itinerary
✓ Transport in classic cars with your own chofers, who will join us throughout the trip
✓ 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners)
✓ All accommodations
✓ Spanish/English guides, Laura, and Cassie, & Ronnie on all tours
✓ Donations for the Cuban people (you can bring more if you want)
✓ Trip travel guide with everything you need to know regarding safety, currency, packing, and preparing for your trip
✓ Photos of your trip provided upon your return in a shared album
✓ Your driver’s wages, accommodations, and food—Most Cubans will never leave Cuba in their lifetime. This is an amazing opportunity for them to experience their own country in ways they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, and just another way you’ll be giving back to Cuba.
Not Included:
X Flights + visas (I will guide you through the visa process)
X Travel insurance (health insurance is mandatory for entering Cuba, but it is often included in your flight costs)
X Drinks not specified in itinerary
X Tips for guides, drivers and local hosts
X Personal purchases & souvenirs
X Local taxis outside of the transport in the itinerary
X Meals not specified in the itinerary
Accommodations:
It’s vital that we support locally-owned businesses in Cuba. We will be staying at Casa Particulares, which are people’s homes that they open up for guests. And you’ll have the experience of staying with a local family, eating home-cooked meals, and getting a feel for what daily life is really like in Cuba.
In Havana, we’ll be in boutique accommodations in Havana Vieja, with WIFI available at cost and 24/7 security. In Viñales, we’ll be in neighboring traditional ‘home stays’ (casa particulares).
Both are of the highest standard, offering the best of Cuban hospitality and warmth.
The beauty of Cuba lies with its people.
Why Travel to Cuba With Me:
It’s no secret that I am absolutely in love with Cuba, but I want you to experience this magical place for yourself without the worry of planning out all the details and logistics.
I’ll prepare you for travel.
That means preparing you every step of the way and providing information on everything from purchasing flights, Covid requirements, visas, currency, weather and safety, to the more exciting things like what to wear and fun things to do in your free time. Cuba is not an easy place to travel to, and going with professionals will ensure your experience is as seamless as possible.
You get to just show up.
That’s the whole point of doing this, right? You buy your flight and pack your own bags (don’t worry, I’ll give you a list!), but I handle almost everything else! My goal is to make travel as easy and seamless as possible so you can just enjoy your trip!
You get built-in travel buddies.
No more waiting on other people for travel plans that never come to fruition. The dates are set, the itinerary is made, and my Cuban friends and I are ready to show you the best of the best in Cuba!
You’ll come home with great photos of yourself.
Say goodbye to the days of crappy vacation pictures! I LOVE making people feel confident through photos, and you're guaranteed to go home with Insta-worthy photos of yourself that you’ll actually love because I am documenting your trip every step of the way. Check out some sample photos of past trip participants
You’ll travel in a small group.
I prefer traveling with a small group (think 10-15 people max) who have time to really bond and get to know each other instead of getting lost in the crowd. I promise you’ll leave this trip with new friends you’ll have for life, including me!
You’ll make a positive impact through travel.
I believe in transformative and sustainable travel and that travel truly changes you for the better. By immersing yourself in a culture, you’re likely going to leave a better person than when you arrived. You’ll meet locals, have authentic experiences, and give back to those in need so your tourism has a positive impact on this beautiful country. This trip is 100% in support of the Cuban people, and you’ll be giving back and interacting with Cubans throughout your trip.
FAQs
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Visiting Cuba as an American tourist is prohibited. However, there are several different licenses that Americans can get approved to travel under. Our group will be traveling under ‘Support for the Cuban People’ license.
To comply with this, we have set up the itinerary to follow all necessary regulations and filled out documentation declaring our intent to travel.
This trip is different from tourism. We will stay in casas particulares, eat at local paladares, and will visit and support community projects that benefit local artists, musicians, educators, farmers and entrepreneurs. It will be culturally immersive every step of the way and unlike any other travel experience. Think of it like adult study abroad (it’s education + travel and a whole lot of fun!).
Plus, a percentage of the trip proceeds will be used to purchase supplies that you’ll be able to donate to Cubans first-hand.
Everything about this trip will be focused on how we can use our privilege to support Cuba and its people.
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Proof of Cuban travel health insurance coverage is mandatory to enter the country and is typically included with your flight costs. You should plan to bring a printed copy to bring with you.
If you need travel insurance, which covers your trip costs, baggage and flight delays, etc., you can purchase it here.
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Travelers will need to purchase a tourist visa under “Support for the Cuban People” as the general license category. The approximate cost is $85, and I will walk you through the steps to get your visa as the trip gets closer (it’s a quick and easy process). Processing is typically 48 hours, and expedited shipping is available.
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Yes. Regulations state that the US government technically has 5 years to intervene and request that you demonstrate that the activities you did in Cuba met the licence requirements. All you need to do for this is keep photos, receipts, the itinerary plan that I will provide, and any other records. It’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll be contacted for this, but best to be prepared just in case.
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Although travel to Cuba is legal for US citizens, using Cuba’s name on the booking page can cause problems with third-party payment processors. Therefore, no mention can be made in our banking transactions of the word “Cuba.” Because of this, you’ll see that my booking site refers to Cuba as “The Island.”
Any payments sent directly to me through Venmo, Cash App, or Paypal cannot mention the word Cuba, or your money may be seized.
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Wait until you get the green light from me to purchase your flights—I typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as I’ve finalized our group.
I will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing fights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
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Cash, dollars, cash! Your bank card/credit card will NOT work. Bring enough cash in USD for your trip, and bring extra for emergencies (or for more mojitos and cigars).
I’ll give you a better idea of how much cash to bring (and lots of reminders) as the trip gets closer.
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You certainly could try to navigate Cuba on your own—people certainly do, but with varied degrees of success.
However, ensuring you have the proper approval, an itinerary that meets the requirements of one of the approved reasons for travel, and the supporting documentation can be complicated.
Cuba is not like other countries. The lack of wifi, regular phone service, and inability to use credit and debit cards makes it more challenging to travel to than many places, and things can and do go wrong. The Cuban currency system is super difficult to deal with as a traveler, the monetary policy in Cuba changes almost every year, and its easy to be taken advantage of if you don’t know what you’re doing. Having travel experts and locals to help you navigate all of Cuba’s complexities is a true asset.
In addition, the greatest reward in visiting Cuba is the ability to integrate yourself with the Cuban people and immerse yourself in its culture. By traveling with us, you’ll have an inside look at Cuban life and connections that you can’t find when you travel on your own.
Do you have additional questions about traveling with us? Download our FAQs handout!
Fun Facts
Cuban cigars are among the finest in the world. Due to the US embargo, it is challenging to bring cigars back to the US, but you’ll be able to bring up to 50 home with you from our tobacco farm tour.
We will be traveling to Cuba during its dry season. Havana averages 72°F, with an average maximum of 81°F during December.
It's estimated there are 60,000 classic cars in Cuba. Common vintage car brands include Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, and Buick.
Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC), which is mainly used by Cubans.
testimonial
Traveling and booking with Laura was beyond expectations! The activities were meticulously planned and so completely outside of the box, exactly what I would want in a group trip. There was absolutely no pressure at all to join every activity and free time to enjoy and explore on our own if we wish. I feel like I have joined a new tribe, she was so welcoming and inclusive, an amazing guide!
I can’t wait to not only book the next trip but go on the ones I already have booked … I already have 3 more planned due to such a great experience throughout the whole trip and process!!!! I know I not only have a new travel guide but a friend for life !
- Tammy C.
Ready to reserve your spot?
INVESTMENT: $2,950
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ADD-ON: +$350
Limited single rooms are available for an extra $350 by request. Please contact me for availability.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement.
Want to check out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Havana Jose Marti International Airport (HAV).
Laura Ericson Group Trips is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 3-4 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.